Northeastern Dental CenterAppointments: (605) 226-3939

Gregg Van Beek D.D.S.

Northeastern Dental Center

Aberdeen area cosmetic dentist Gregg Van Beek, D.D.S. has extensive experience creating beautiful smiles. They're one of the first things people notice about you.

Our professional team will be happy to discuss your aesthetic dentistry options. The attractive results you'll get from Northeastern Dental Center can change your life!

Safe, anxiety-free dentistry with Aberdeen area dentist Dr. Gregg Van Beek means you can have dental treatments done quickly while you're lightly sedated, with little or no discomfort.

You no longer have to tolerate feeling uncomfortable, hiding your smile, or putting off dental work because of a busy schedule. You'll feel relaxed during your dental appointment, and relieved that your oral health is in good hands.

If you suffer from dental anxiety in the Aberdeen area, Dr. Van Beek can help. We offer several options that can make your dental treatments pleasant and stress-free. Our team at Northeastern Dental Center is trained to help you feel comfortable. You'll be able to feel relaxed while receiving the friendly, professional oral care you deserve.

You won't have to tolerate feeling uncomfortable or hide your smile because you need dental work. You'll feel at ease during your dental appointment, and glad that you're taking care of your oral health.

If you want a gorgeous smile that turns heads, you may want to learn about the range of dental services offered at Northeastern Dental Center. Aberdeen area cosmetic dentist Dr. Gregg Van Beek is dedicated to producing quality results and beautiful smiles.

Request an Appointment With Northeastern Dental Center

Northeastern Dental CenterAppointments: (605) 598-4452

Gregg Van Beek D.D.S.

Northeastern Dental Center

For comfortable dental hygiene treatment in the Faulkton, South Dakota area, Dr. Gregg Van Beek is known for having a gentle touch. The friendly team at Northeastern Dental Center provides teeth cleaning for a whiter smile.

Maintaining good dental hygiene is the foundation for healthy teeth and gums. We're committed to helping you have a lifetime of oral health.

Friendly, caring family dentistry in the Faulkton, South Dakota area is available at Northeastern Dental Center. Our team strives to make you and your family feel comfortable during your appointment. Gregg Van Beek, D.D.S. wants to help you and your family maintain your oral health now and for years to come. You'll love visiting our comfortable setting where personalized customer service still matters.

In order to maintain your oral health, it's important to schedule regular dental check-ups. Don't wait until something is wrong to make an appointment with Faulkton area dentist Dr. Gregg Van Beek. At Northeastern Dental Center, we provide comfortable and thorough checkups. By catching and correcting a potential dental problem early, Dr. Van Beek can save you vast amounts of time, discomfort, and expense.

Safe, anxiety-free dentistry with Faulkton area dentist Dr. Gregg Van Beek means you can have dental treatments done quickly while you're lightly sedated, with little or no discomfort.

You no longer have to tolerate feeling uncomfortable, hiding your smile, or putting off dental work because of a busy schedule. You'll feel relaxed during your dental appointment, and relieved that your oral health is in good hands.

If you suffer from dental anxiety in the Faulkton area, Dr. Van Beek can help. We offer several options that can make your dental treatments pleasant and stress-free. Our team at Northeastern Dental Center is trained to help you feel comfortable. You'll be able to feel relaxed while receiving the friendly, professional oral care you deserve.

Dental Emergency And Acute Perio Conditions

Acute periodontal conditions are a set of rapid-onset ailments that affect the oral cavity. As opposed to gingivitis or periodontitis, which are chronic infections, these conditions can be associated with pain or discomfort, and may have immediate systemic manifestations. The symptoms of acute periodontal conditions can be so severe as to create a dental emergency Gingival Abscess

An abscess is a gathering of pus in an infected area. A gingival abscess is a painful swelling of the gum that may appear to be red and shiny. It is tender to touch and can have pus draining from it. It can be caused by bacterial plaque or a foreign object embedded in a sensitive area. Treatment involves draining the pus and cleaning the abscess thoroughly. The area needs to be numbed for patient comfort, and if promptly treated, gingival abscesses should not leave any scarring or long-term complications.

Periodontal Abscess

A periodontal abscess exhibits similar signs and symptoms as a gingival abscess, but with the infection involving the bone and tissues that support the tooth. The involved tooth can become mobile and sensitive to touch due to rapid bone loss around it. To treat a periodontal abscess, the area needs to be numbed and the abscess drained. The tooth may need to be scaled in order to remove the irritants that caused the infection. It may be necessary to irrigate the abscess with special antimicrobial solutions or to take systemic antibiotics. The tooth may need to be adjusted so that the bite is more comfortable. If the abscess is severe, it may require surgical treatment or even removal of the tooth. A thorough periodontal evaluation is recommended after a dental emergency treatment to identify other possible problem areas.

Periodontal/Endodontic Abscess

This is a combined infection of the gum, bone, and the nerve in the root canal of the tooth. It can be caused by a gum infection that progressed to the tip of the tooth, infecting the nerve in the root canal, or by a nerve infection that is draining through the gum tissue. Either way, the signs and symptoms are the same as with a periodontal or gum abscess. This type of periodontal treatment may include periodontal (as above) and/or root canal therapy.

Acute Necrotizing Ulcerative Gingivitis (ANUG)

Painful ulcers that bleed easily characterize this generalized, acute condition of the gums. Bad breath can also be present, and systemic manifestations include fever and lymph node enlargement. ANUG is associated with stress, smoking, poor nutrition, and people with immunodeficiencies (including HIV). Untreated ANUG can progress to NUP (necrotizing ulcerative periodontitis), in which there is bone loss around the teeth and eventually tooth loss. Treatment of ANUG includes a cleaning of the teeth and irrigation of the gums. Plaque control is very important after initial treatment. If it is difficult to brush or floss, oral rinses may be prescribed. Antibiotic treatment may be necessary if there is systemic involvement such as fever.

Herpetic Gingivostomatitis

This is another generalized acute condition of the gums and soft tissues of the mouth. It is an infection caused by the herpes simplex virus. There may be multiple ulcers and fever. Swollen lymph nodes and malaise may also be associated with herpetic gingivostomatitis. This condition is self-limiting and resolves in 10 to 15 days. For patient comfort, treatment includes application of a numbing agent (topical anesthetic) and a thorough cleaning of the ulcers. This is followed by oral hygiene instructions and proper nutritional intake information. Under some circumstances, antiviral medications may be prescribed. Herpetic gingivostomatitis is contagious, and intimate contact should be avoided during the healing period.

Pericoronitis

This is an inflammation and infection of the tissues that cover the chewing surfaces of the teeth that are not fully erupted. The gums in that area can be red, swollen, and painful to touch. It also may be difficult to open the mouth. In addition, there can be a discharge of pus. Like with all other infections, pericoronitis can spread and create further systemic complications like lymph node enlargement, fever, and malaise. Pericoronitis is treated with a thorough cleaning and irrigation of the affected area. It may be necessary to surgically reshape the gum around the partially-erupted tooth or to remove the tooth. Antibiotic treatment also may be necessary.

Acute periodontal conditions may be manifestations of pre-existing periodontal problems that result in an acute problem and a dental emergency. The best way to prevent dental emergencies is to maintain oral health and to visit your dental care provider routinely for examinations.

By Laura Minsk, DMD

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Dental Disease And Ridge Augmentation

Whether a tooth has been lost to periodontal disease, tooth decay, or trauma, one may be left with a cleft, an indentation, or uneven gum margins. This happens because after a tooth is removed, the bone that was encasing it disintegrates and the gum around it collapses. If this occurs in the front of the mouth, it can result in an esthetic problem. No matter how well designed the replacement teeth are, they may appear to be too long and unattractive. To have a pleasing smile, the shape, color, and texture of the gums is just as important as that of the teeth they frame.

Ridge augmentation is a cosmetic periodontal procedure that may include gum and/or bone grafting. A dentist will determine which option is better suited to a patient's esthetic needs. Regardless of what treatment method a dentist chooses, ridge augmentation is a very predictable procedure with long-lasting results.

What to Expect from Periodontal Ridge Augmentation

Ridge augmentation is a surgical procedure that is done in the dentist's office with local anesthesia (lidocaine). Stitches (sutures) are placed to aid in healing. Post-surgical discomfort can last a few days and is usually minimal. It can be easily managed with commonly available over-the-counter medications such as aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen. Patients can expect to follow their normal routine the day after oral surgery. The dentist will provide special instructions related to diet, exercise and medications.

To ensure more esthetic results, ridge augmentation procedures should always be done before new crowns are made. Although a temporary (provisional) tooth replacement can be made at the time of tooth loss, the final restoration should not be fabricated until after six to eight weeks of gum healing.

Alternatives periodontal treatments

It is possible to help prevent collapse of the gum tissue by doing a bone grafting procedure or by placing an implant at the time of extraction. Although sometimes it may still be necessary to do further periodontal plastic surgery procedures, these treatments can help maintain the space that was previously occupied by the tooth and prevent bone loss. If this was not feasible, ridge augmentation can be done to improve esthetics after tooth extraction.

Ridge augmentation should be considered as part of an individual's cosmetic dentistry options when there are uneven gum contours, clefts, or indentations on the gums. The most beautiful teeth will not look natural if the gum surrounding them is not cosmetically pleasing. Talk to a dentist about esthetic concerns and the possibility of incorporating cosmetic periodontal procedures as part of a "smile lift."